Happy National Bikini Day! Here Are 8 Small Businesses To Buy Swimwear From
Get your swimwear on.
It's National Bikini Day! To highlight the inaugural holiday we're sharing some of our favorite small businesses that happen to make amazing swimwear. Just because your Fourth of July celebrations are over, doesn't mean you have to slow down your bikini game. Take a look at some of our favorite brands and designers, and why we think they're so badass.
Myra Swim
Aussie designer Bianca Elouise created Myra Swim with every single body type in mind. From one-sleeved tops to sleek, Brazilian cut bottoms, you can find it all. Then minimalistic designs are part high fashion and part comfort.
Lolli Swim
If you love bright and colorful swimwear, then Lolli should be on your radar. Female owned and operated, Lolli is full of rainbow and sunshine courtesy of its designer Vy Nguyen. You can buy Little Mermaid-inspired seashell tops, cheeky bow bottoms and so much more.
Frankies Bikinis
It's highly likely that Frankies Bikinis have made an appearance on your Instagram feed. Francesca Aiello's mother encouraged her to create custom-made swimwear, and the rest is history. Frankies bikinis first Miami Swim Week debut took place in 2014 and ever since we've seen her pieces on everyone from Gigi Hadid to Kylie Jenner.
Girls On Swim
Sophisticated and minimalistic, Girls On Swim is designed right here at C&C's sunny home of Los Angeles. Brittny Ward and B Kaya Boucetta have an eye for what's unique and what complements a woman's body. Kourtney Kardashian nearly broke the internet this week in the brand's signature Bare Strappy bikini.
Aexae Swim
Another Australian brand that's killing it is Aexae Swim. You'll feel like your best self when slipping one of the brand's form-flattering pieces. Aexae is loved by celebrities and by its ever-growing Instagram family.
Naked Swim
Designed in LA and made in Bali, Naked Swim is one brand to definitely keep your eye on. Designer Akasha Marie has taken the brand from being direct-to-consumer only, to now being shoppable at different Topshop locations and is coming soon to ASOS. It's made with every body type in mind and features a range of figures in all of its campaigns.
Monday Swimwear
Super influencers Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman created Monday Swimwear after their blog, A Bikini A Day, took off. Both women have kept their huge female audience in mind when designing everything from high-cut one pieces to tops that fit any bust size. The brand just debuted a beautiful campaign and extended sizing so that everyone can enjoy Monday.
Swimsuits for All
Swimsuits for All lives up to its name. With collaborations with Ashley Graham and Gabi Fresh, the brand thrives in catering to all women and making them feel their best while wearing swimwear. Swimsuits for All removes the intimidation that comes from shopping for bikinis, and makes you excited to finally make that purchase.
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C&C Classifieds: DERMAFLASH, Eloquence, Be Social, & More
So it's Fourth of July, and you're still thinking about that job hunt, huh? Don't worry, it's normal, and we've got your back.
In this All-American edition of C&C Classifieds, you'll find marketing, merchandising, digital positions and more. What are you waiting for? Get your resume and intro emails ready before today's barbecue.
Happy Independence Day!
TOMS - LA, CA
Eloquence - Culver City, CA
Dermaflash - CHICAGO, IL
Be Social - LA, CA
Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th - NY, NY
Create & Cultivate
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7 Books To Bring To The Beach With You This Summer
Relax & unwind.
So it's been hot outside for weeks now and you still haven't hit up a beach. First of all, who are you? Second of all, why the hell not? To help get you out and enjoy some fun in the sun, grab a good book to read as you get your tan on. We've compiled a combination of hilariously funny, encouraging and thought-provoking books that everyone can relate to. So grab a beach chair (or towel) and take the time to enjoy a good read when you can.
Sweetbitter
You've probably seen the trailer for the television adaptation of Sweetbitter come across your screen. The book is a great read before diving head first into the show and has quickly reached book clubs everywhere. It follows a 22-year-old named Tess who just moved to New York City and lands a job at a popular restaurant. She's quickly exposed to the glitz and glam of the city, but also the darker side with drugs, alcohol, lust,and chaos. It's the ultimate coming of age story that takes readers through the excitement and fragility of growing up.
Girls Burn Brighter
Have you ever felt like your best friend is your soulmate? Girls Burn Brighter follows the story of Poormina and Savitha in India, with a journey that ends up all the way in Seattle. The two girls instantly become friends once Poornima's father hires Savitha to work in the family's household after Poornima's mother's death. Unfortunately, a devastating act of cruelty in their village separates the two and Poornima is determined to find her friend again. After a long journey of exploring India's underworld and traveling across the globe, she ends up in Seattle. The book explores the trials and tribulations through the eyes of both girls and is a powerful ode to the strength of female friendship.
You Are A Badass
When you're down in the dumps and need to remember how great you are, that's where Jen Sincero comes in. In You are a Badass the author and success coach breaks down valuable life lessons, advice, exercises and more in a series of 27 hilarious chapters. You'll learn how to challenge yourself to change your self-doubt that is stopping you from getting where you want to be in life. Readers will learn how to create a life they love and be one of the badass women they've always looked up to. In this no BS approach to money, success, and happiness you'll see what it takes to finally let go of whatever is holding you back.
When Katie Met Cassidy
As much as we all like to think that we know everything about love, sex, and self-acceptance, the truth is that we don't. When Katie Met Cassidy is a warm and LOL funny story about women taking the reigns and owning every single part of themselves. Katie Daniels is a Kentucky transplant who winds up in New York after being dumped by her fiance—do we have your attention yet? Cassidy Price is a total girl boss who slays in a men's suit and is as self-assured as every woman wishes she was. It's a reality check that in order to go after what we want sometimes we must leave our traditional values behind and explore more of ourselves and others. These two have an intense connection that challenges everything they thought they knew about sex and love.
When Life Gives You Lululemons
Uh, if you wanted The Devil Wears Prada part deux you now have it. Lauren Wiesberger, who penned one of our favorite adult fiction books of all time, is back at it again in When Life Gives You Lululemons. Remember Miranda Priestly's fiery red-haired assistant Emily? She's moved on from the NYC publishing world and onto the sunny skies of L.A. as a Hollywood image consultant. But with social media killing the game, Emily's lost a ton of clients and needs a new one to add to her roster, stat. Then comes in Karolina, a supermodel who gets herself a DUI, and a senator-husband who is done with her BS. The only thing is that Emily finds herself navigating through Karolina's suburban home of Greenwich, Connecticut and a ton of upper-class judgemental neighbors. Their mutual friend Miriam is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom and the trio come together to tackle the ins and outs of Greenwich to win the hearts of the community.
The Girls
Taking place in the '60s, The Girls highlights the violent end of the decade in Northern California. Evie Boyd is a curious and lonely teenager who is captivated by an older girl named Suzanne. Evie is mesmerized by Suzanna and her friends' carefree spirits, nontraditional clothing style, and freedom, except she was completely wrong about the freedom part. Suzanne's "friends" are actually members of a cult run by a charming leader who has caught Suzanne's eyes. Because she is so desperate to be accepted by others and has a growing obsession with this intriguing older girl, Evie lends herself closer and closer to danger. The book will consume you to the point where you just need to learn what happens to the two.
The Assistants
Are you overeducated and underpaid? So is this crew. The Assistants follows the life of 30-year-old Tina Fontana, who is the executive assistant to the CEO of a major media company. Although she's great at her job and has an excellent reputation, six long years of filing, scheduling and taking calls isn't paying off her student loan debt. A technical error in one of her boss's expense reports is equal to enough cash to pay the remaining balance of her loan. But after questioning her decision for so long, Tina now has other assistants knocking on her door saying they want all in. Faced with being the girl who has always obeyed the rules and a lot of temptation, she's now dealing with a dilemma she could've never predicted.
By: Andrea Navarro
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Nicole Kidman And Beauty Influencers Share Their #1 Summer Skincare Tips
Sunday’s are the best, right? But you know what makes a summer Sunday a SUNday FUNday? Casually hanging out with Neutrogena and Brand Ambassador Nicole Kidman of course; which is exactly what happened on Sunday, August 24th at our #EverydayIsaSunday Sun Symposium. Hosted in Hollywood’s beautiful Lombardi House, guests were in for the happiest Sunday they’ve had in a while. Attendees were treated to a Sunday-themed brunch and juice bar curated by Little West, a sun hat customization station, and a panel discussion on choosing happiness, summer beauty, skincare and more. Everyone on sight also got the chance to experience some of Neutrogena's best-selling sun care products including the new Hydro Boost Water Lotion Sunscreens, Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreens, and Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreens.
All guests at this event had some great takeaways and were left feeling confident about spending more time in the sun and being their happiest and healthiest selves. Of course, this all starts with incorporating the application of sunscreen to your everyday skincare routine. Whether that's setting a daily sunscreen reminder, choosing makeup with SPF, or keeping it visible—daily sun protection will make every day feel like their best Sunday.
Kidman has been part of the Neutrogena brand for quite some time and is a huge advocate for sun protection herself. Growing up in Australia, the actress paid frequent visits to the beach (and still does), inevitably exposing her to a lot of sun. You look at Nicole’s skin today and you know she’s doing something right, and that ‘something’ happens to be sunscreen. She’s been very candid about the fact that she relies heavily on SPF, and it’s been part of her everyday life for as long as she could remember.
“I keep it in handbags, I keep it by my sink, and I keep it by the pool—I have it on hand,” she said. Her love for the outdoors has prompted her to never leave the house without sunscreen and always have it available to avoid any accidental sunburns. Today Kidman has instilled SPF into her own children’s lives so that they can enjoy outdoor activities without being limited. Her mom kept her inside as a child for sun protection, leading her to read novels that inspired her to become an actress. There’s a positive factor in everything.
Today, she continues to enjoy her days on the beach with her kids and husband and her partnership with Neutrogena has helped her better educate others on sun protection.
Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a psychology professor at UC Riverside and author also gave the audience some insight on happiness. She's studied the subject of happiness for over 20 years and dives into the scientific approach of making your ideal life a reality. She explained how your own joy will only benefit those around you, and there are plenty of ways to ignite the path to being more content. Whether it's taking up a new hobby or eating healthier to feel better, we can all find ways to make ourselves feel carefree.
Photo credit: Angelica Marie Photo
We also made sure to catch up with some of our favorite L.A. ladies who dished on how they care for their own skin in the sun.
"My number one sun care tip is to wear sunscreen, which is something that I didn't always do but as I've gotten older I've realized that getting wrinkles and sunburns can be avoided by wearing sunscreen every day," said Alli Webb.
Our panel moderator, Renée Bargh, also happens to be from Australia and is just as passionate about SPF as Nicole Kidman is. "Have sunscreen in every single bag that you own, and always keep it on the counter so that you never forget to put it on before you leave the house," she shared.
Beauty influencer and YouTube star Eman makes it a point to wear sunscreen no matter what the weather is like. "Even if it's cloudy out, you still have to put on sunscreen," she said.
Sona Gasparian doesn't believe in applying sun protection just once a day. "I highly recommend reapplying sunscreen throughout the day as much as you can," she suggested.
Jaclyn Johnson learned that making sunscreen application a daily habit is a lot easier than she thought, and she'll keep hers next to her toothpaste from now on.
What's your number one sun care tip? Share in the comments below!
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How To Meditate At Work When It All Becomes Too Much
Woosah.
We've all felt stressed the F out at work, and that's probably never going to change—sorry. But rather than sulking into your anxious state of mind, why not try and get your zen on like all of the wellness bloggers you follow? Believe it or not, you can get in your zone at work and not feel like the workday took you down. Here's how to chill and stay chill at work when your inbox looks like it's at a million.
Practice Breathing Exercises
As basic as breathing exercises may sound, they're a huge help when it comes to relieving stress. Taking deep breaths slows down your heart rate and helps reduce the sense of anxiety. Getting your stress under control is one way to improve your health, and breathing exercises can help get you there. Hillary Clinton even used alternate nostril breathing as a way to cope with getting through the 2016 election. Hey, if it’s good enough for a presidential candidate, it’s good enough for us.
Plug In Your Headphones
It’s obviously not chill to blast any audio from your work computer, especially if you don’t have your own office. For us desk babes, headphones are heaven sent when it comes to meditating. When you get to squeeze in some downtime, take advantage of pre-recorded meditation sessions from YouTube and some binaural beats. You’ll get in a meditation session at your desk or zone out to some chill tunes without anyone around you getting disturbed.
Download An App
Stepping out for lunch today? Download a meditation app such as Head Space or Calm and get your moment of zen. These guided meditations are right in the palm of your hand and are great for the times you’re able to get outside and catch some fresh air. Look out for meditations that help kickstart your creative juices and productivity so that you can kill the rest of the workday. The best part about these is that they’re usually short, and you won’t face the guilt of being away from your desk for too long.
Try Team Meditation
Get your fellow boss ladies (and guys!) involved in your meditation. It’s honestly something we can all benefit from and will help everyone get their work done more effectively. Book the biggest conference room you can find, preferably in the middle of the workday, and play a guided meditation out loud for you all to follow. If you live in a larger city, there are plenty of meditating professionals who work with companies all of the time. Grab an expert to come along and show you and your coworkers the best way to stay balanced and refreshed in your office.
By: Andrea Navarro
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Classifieds: twelveNYC, Hello.Me, Nordstrom, & More!
Get it, girl!
It's Wednesday and that means we're back with a sparkling list of hot new jobs fresh on the market. The job search can be hectic if you don't know where to start. Which is why we're here and listed them out just for you! From New York to Los Angeles, this week's classifieds list is full of opportunity.
Read through these job descriptions and tailor that resume for your dream gig.
P.S. We're hiring! Wanna join the C&C fam? Dive in below.
Create & Cultivate - LA
Komar - Jersey City, NJ
Nordstrom - LA, CA
Want more? Check our full list here!
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5 Simple Ways to Not Let Your Fatigue Get The Best of You
There is such thing as being too tired.
It's only Tuesday, your week already feels so long and you can't wait to go home and get in bed. But have you ever sat down and wondered why you're actually so tired all of the time? Plenty of your everyday activities can be contributing to your exhaustion and making you feel the symptoms of fatigue. As a working woman, you can't have any of that because there's way too much to get done. A lot of the time you could be contributing. It's only Tuesday, your week already feels so long, and you can't wait to go home and get in bed. But have you ever sat down and wondered why you're so tired all of the time? Plenty of your everyday activities can be contributing to your exhaustion and making you feel the symptoms of fatigue. As a working woman, you can't have any of that because there's way too much to get done. A lot of the time you could be contributing to your own lack of energy, but it's important to note that if it becomes serious, you should go ahead and see a doctor for an evaluation. Ahead, a few things to consider in your everyday life that can help you feel more energized and alert enough to conquer your entire to-do list.
Upgrade Your Breakfast
You're probably so tired of hearing that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it is—and sorry to tell you for the millionth time. A nutritious breakfast can give you the energy you need to survive your 9-5 days, making your week so much better. A lot of us have the tendency of eating bread or sugary cereals in the morning, but having heavy carbs or too much sugar early on in the day can lead to a crash come the afternoon. Swap your starchy breakfast for a protein-packed meal to keep you fueled with energy.
Double Up On H2O
As you may already know, dehydration makes us feel exhausted. After all, our bodies are made up of about 60% water, so staying hydrated is a major key to avoiding burnout. Thankfully, a lot of jobs are already stocked with a sufficient water supply, making it easier for us to sip on H2O throughout the day. If you're not so lucky, try bringing your own water bottle wherever you go, so that you not only continuously drink it throughout the day but also have the chance to refill it whenever possible.
Track Your Sleep Pattern
If you think you've gotten the proper amount of sleep and still feel tired all of the time, it may be time for you to track the way you sleep. Just because you got eight hours of sleep, doesn't mean that your sleep cycle length was, in fact, eight hours long. A sleep tracker can determine how many full cycles of sleep you actually get per night, along with how many hours of deep sleep you're getting. Once both of these are determined, you'll understand if you're not getting the proper amount of sleep for your body, and can move forward from there.
Get Up and Moving
What if we told you that to stop being exhausted, you should get up and exercise? The last thing you want to do when you're tired is a workout, but that's exactly what your body might need. A regular gym session can help boost your energy levels when you're feeling tired beyond belief, and you'll thank yourself later for it. Whether it's a 20-minute run on the treadmill or a walk around your neighborhood, being active will lead you to be a lot less tired.
Take Your Vitamins
Unfortunately, we don't all always have the right amount of vitamins in our system to help better fight issues like fatigue. Having a vitamin deficiency is a fairly common issue, especially among women. Vitamins such as Vitamin D, B5, B6, and B12 can help promote better energy levels and normal fight fatigue. The downside to this is that to learn if your body is deficient in any vitamin levels you must see a doctor.
By: Andrea Navarro
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The Biggest Piece of Advice Nicole Kidman Would Give to Her Twenty-Year-Old Self
You’ll want to hear this.
Photo: Tim Vickers
Nicole Kidman is an icon to so many of us. From her impressive roster of acting roles in films like Lion to the small screen in Big Little Lies and a longtime ambassadorship with Neutrogena, Kidman remains as one of the biggest names in Hollywood. She’s also a major source of inspiration to women all over, thanks to her advocacy for equal rights and offering a fresh perspective on the subject of age.
Who could forget her powerful speech at this year's SAG Awards in January? "Twenty years ago, we were pretty washed up by this stage in our lives, so that's not the case now. We have proven, and these actresses and so many more are proving that we are potent and powerful and viable," she told millions of viewers. She thanked the women who paved the way for this change, including Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, and Jessica Lange who were all fellow nominees and actresses for decades. Kidman has made her stance clear; women are inspiring a serious change and ageism should not interfere with anyone's success.
"Our stories are finally being told"
Tweet this.
At 51 years old, Kidman has defied the logic that a woman has a shelf life, whether it’s in the limelight or elsewhere. We caught up with the award-winning actress at our #EverydayIsASunday event with Neutrogena in Los Angeles this past weekend to discuss how she’s beat the pressures of aging in a society that seems to only embrace youth.
On the topic of age, Kidman shared what she would tell her 20 year old self, now that’s grown into one of the most successful actresses of our time with a career that is still taking off.
Photos: Time Vickers
“I would just say that there’s a long life ahead. Take care of yourself and know that you will make it to the age of 50 and beyond and you don’t have to worry so much,” she said. But growing up in Australia as someone who was born in the states, she felt hat she had a hybrid identity that made her different.
She had big dreams and aspirations and knew from a very young age that she wanted to be an actress, but didn’t know what her future was going to look like. “I would go and do photo shoots and go out for auditions, and they would tell me: “when you’re older you’ll be really pretty,” and at 14 years old I didn’t know what that meant,” she explained. “I was that kid with curly hair and was 5’11” at 14 years old, and I hadn’t grown into who I was,” she continued.
“To them, I would say: “Don’t say that to me,” because it was a really weird thing to hear because it sort of took away my confidence in a way when I was younger.” But, in the end, she would tell herself at twenty that it’s all going to be okay.
By: Andrea Navarro
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6 Mobile Apps That Will Help You Get More Organized
When your planner isn’t enough.
Do you feel like your life is currently in shambles? It's time to get organized, girl. We spend so much time glued to our phones all day, not realizing they can be our pocket-sized assistants on any given day—and let's face it, we all need an assistant right? Ahead are a few mobile apps that could help you get your sh*t done the easy way.
Tick Tick
Think of Tick Tick as your ultimate to-do list. When your phone's calendar just isn't cutting it, this is where you pop in all of your day-to-day tasks. Need to go food shopping? Check. Need to walk the dog? Check. You get the gist of it, and it's super helpful to pull up and update every day. You can also set alerts for yourself and rank them from highest priority to lowest.
Mint
Running low on cash? You probably lost track of your coins after your brunch order last weekend. Mint is here to be your financial assistant by keeping track of all your purchases. If you've signed up for any subscriptions that you forgot about, this is where to find them to hit cancel finally. Mint also gives you a clear picture of where most of your money goes into, and yes we've felt guilty after seeing our charts. Use mint to set a better budget for yourself and be a little stress-free financially.
Planoly
If you're obsessed with Instagram (because who isn't?), then you'll need to get on Planoly. This app is the first visual planner for the 'gram. While other apps allow you to either preview your feed before posting a photo or schedule posts in advance, this one does it all. It even has relevant hashtags for you to choose from to boost your engagement. This one's definitely for the social media queen, but it's free so why not give it a try?
Venmo
We barely know anyone who doesn't have Venmo yet, but if you haven't hopped on the bandwagon, here's why you should. Venmo is a free digital wallet that quickly allows you to send money back and forth for owed payments. You can request money from friends, and send them whatever you owe them on the fly. All you have to do is link your bank account or debit card to get started. While the app runs on a business day schedule, you now have the option to send money in a few minutes for a small fee of 25 cents.
Evernote
Jotting everything down from a meeting isn't the most fun part of a job, but we know it needs to get done. To better organize your notes, or transfer handwritten ones to a digital file, try Evernote. This one is available on both desktop and mobile, but anything stored on your account automatically syncs onto your device. So you can read notes on the go, or type new ones out on your phone if there's ever anything pressing.
GroupMe
You're probably so tired of your phone's battery running low due to your squad's constant group texts. If you're part of multiple group chats, then our hats go off to you and your storage plan. That's where GroupMe comes in to solve all of your texting needs. Rather than having all of your conversations on your phone's regular inbox, run them through GroupMe and have them all in one place. Another major plus is that any phone can participate in a GroupMe chat, and users without iMessage aren't being left out. Win-win.
By: Andrea Navarro
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How This Clean Beauty Brand Is Protecting Our Oceans
In celebration of World Oceans Month.
In case you weren't aware, June is World Oceans month. While it's always important to try our best to keep the environment as clean and protected as possible, the focus is on just that this month. Our oceans take up about 70% of the Earth, making them one of, if not, the biggest source of life. So if you're heading to the beach anytime soon or in for some water-related activities, try and make an effort by picking up three pieces of plastic you see for example.
We've partnered with REN Clean Skincare, and the Surfrider Foundation, for our own efforts in honor of World's Oceans Month. As part of its new mission to be Clean to skin and Clean to planet, REN Clean Skincare has pledged to produce zero waste by 2021. Later this summer, REN Clean Skincare will be relaunching its award-winning Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash into a 100% recyclable bottle with 20% plastic reclaimed from the ocean and 80% plastic recycled from empty plastic bottles.
Both REN Clean Skincare and the Surfrider Foundation are dedicated to the cause of keeping our water-centric playgrounds clean for all of us to enjoy.
More than eight million tons of plastic appear in our oceans every year—yes, you read that right. With so much waste disposed into our water, we took our cleaning efforts to the Hamptons with REN Clean Skincare, the Surfrider Foundation, and some of our favorite New York ladies. We're hoping to raise awareness on this ongoing issue that could severely damage the quality of Earth's ocean water through a beach cleaning day for World Oceans Month.
During the beach cleanup initiative, the scene may have looked clean from afar but participants quickly learned otherwise. In one hour, 2.5 pounds of waste was found on the beach. The waste found included:
- 4 balloons
- 38 cigarette butts
- 5 glass bottles
- 2 plastic bottles
- 10 plastic bottle caps
- 5 plastic bags
- 5 straws
- 2 plastic utensils
- 11 plastic food wrappers
- 2 children's toys
- and more...
The day was followed by an eco-conscious lunch in the Hamptons, with zero straws of course. Influencers who attended this effort also shared some insight about what they learned and their own sustainability tips.
Sai De Silva reduces her waste footprint by recycling her clothes as much as possible. As an influencer who receives plenty of clothing gifts, she makes sure to donate them or sends them off as hand-me-downs. As a bonus tip, she also suggests reusing toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls as pots for your plants by closing the bottom and adding in some soil.
Jessica Franklin learned that a lot of the waste found on beaches is consumed by fish, which can then affect any of us who consume fish as well. One of the ways she practices sustainability is through her diet as she is a pescatarian. She chose this lifestyle because of the large amount of water that goes into feeding other animals, such as cows.
Natalie Suarez doesn’t use any plastic water bottles and swears by recyclable bottles, and by recycling everything else that she possibly can. That includes packages, plastic, glass and more.
Rachel Martino learned that even the smallest items could affect our beaches and the ocean. Such items include bobby pins and plastic bottles, which are often found lingering in the sand. In efforts to reduce her own waste footprint, she only washed her hair once a week which helps save a lot of water.
Rachel Nguyen believes in reusing as much as possible, rather than purchasing more recyclable household items. She also believes it’s important to use clean beauty without any synthetic ingredients or packaging because our skin is such a prominent organ of ours and it absorbs everything.
Candace Hampton’s favorite takeaway from the beach cleanup was that everyone should make an effort to recycle and reduce waste as much as possible to make more clean beauty products. The experience also inspired her to use less plastic water bottles and less plastic in general.
If you're heading to the beach this summer, try cleaning up any waste that you may spot around you. On the other hand, if you can't make it down to a beach this summer, you can learn more tips on how you can help the initiative on the Surfrider Foundation site.
What Is Clean Beauty?
We're living in a time where beauty brands are changing the way they manufacture and package their products. It seems as though clean beauty is the topic of the moment, but the descriptor can be confusing. To be clear, clean beauty is defined as products that are produced and formulated without any harmful or toxic ingredients. Such ingredients include sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and more.
REN Clean Skincare chooses only bio-actives that benefit skin health and ingredients that protect the efficacy of the formula. It’s a brand consiststing of clean, safe skincare, with no toxins, no hard or controversial chemicals, and no potential irritants, ever.
REN Clean Skincare's goal to help the planet is for its packaging to produce zero waste by 2021. It swears by recyclable packaging, refillable solutions, bottles with reclaimed ocean plastic and so much more for a waste-free future. Most importantly, REN Clean Skincare has taken action with global activist partner, Surfrider Foundation by cleaning up beaches and oceans worldwide.
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7 Things Every Working Woman Should Keep At Her Desk
Because who likes clutter?
Got a new job? Congrats! So, now what are you going to put in that brand new desk of yours? Will you personalize it with some small touches such as photos or décor? Who knows. But there are some staples that every working woman needs. Apart from basic office supplies, we can all benefit from stocking up on the following seven items. Keep these in mind once you've settled into your desk.
Extra Chargers
Don't be that girl who's asking her new coworkers for a charger on her first day. It's likely that your phone is a huge part of your job, so you don't want it to run out of juice. To save yourself the extra headache of searching for a charger, always have a backup at your desk. If worst comes to worse, at least have the USB cord that could easily stay plugged into your computer throughout the day.
Stain Remover
It happens to the best of us. You might spill our lunch onto that new white shirt you bought at the Zara sale, or a pen casually decided to explode all over your pants. The easiest way to solve this inevitable mishap is to have some stain remover at your desk. There are even stain remover pens available now that won't take up a ton of space, and work just as effectively.
Feminine Products
Want to be the office hero? Keep some lady products stocked at your desk. You know us working women can't always rely on their offices to be stocked with the good. That time of the month could sneak up on us, and it's essential to be prepared for a worst-case scenario. Prefer specific brands of tampons or pads over others? That's another solid reason to take matters into your own hands.
Shoes
Look. You never know what kind of day you're doing to end up having. While most would tell you to keep a pair of flats at your desk, we're telling you to keep both flats and heels available at all times. Could you imagine being sent off to an important meeting in your not-so-new pair of sneakers? On the other hand, maybe you love wearing heels but have an unexpected day full of running around ahead of you—that's where your flats come in. Trust us, you'll thank yourself later.
Tissues
Getting up to go to the restroom every time they you need a tissue is super fun, right? Not so much. Whether it's allergy season or your eyes have a habit of watering up, keep a stash of tissues at your desk. They also make it easier to clean up minor things quickly, and you can always get a cute cover for your box.
Hair Ties
Sometimes we just want to throw our hair up, but we can't do that without keeping some hair ties nearby. If you're in a professional setting, it's not a good look to keep hair ties around your wrist, even though we're all guilty of this. Buy a pack of some hair ties at the drugstore and keep them with you at work. Hair dilemma solved.
Snacks!
Of course, we couldn't leave snacks off of this list. We all need that extra fuel to keep us going throughout today and to hold us over until lunch. Some snacks that are great for keeping at your desk are pretzels, nuts, rice cakes, and bars. You won't regret having something to munch on when your stomach is asking for it!
Honorable Mentions
- Books
- Candles
- Mirror
- Sweater
- Fragrance
- Deodorant
- Makeup (and makeup-remover wipes!)
By: Andrea Navarro
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The Stress-Free Way to Refresh Your Work Wardrobe
Plus, some easy shopping tips.
As working women, we understand how difficult it can be to fit everyday activities into our schedules. We’re way too busy for leisurely activities such as shopping, but does that really mean we should miss out? After all, every woman wants (and deserves) to look and feel fabulous in her clothes! We should all be able to stay on top of the latest trends and update our wardrobes whether it be for in the office or play.
So, what are our options when there’s no time to peruse endless racks at the mall, camp out at the next trending sample sale, or spend a few hours scrolling through your favorite online shop? You turn to the next alternative, and that’s shopping right at home with your own personal Stylist (and a few of your best girlfriends, of course!). Yes, you read that right. Think you can’t afford a personal Stylist—what if I said you could get one for free? Yes, you read that right.
Maybe you’ve never heard of cabi before: Cabi is the solution to the frustration and inconvenience of shopping. It offers a unique “pop-up boutique” shopping experience in the comfort of the home, where a cabi Stylist provides personalized styling, and presents a designer collection to you and your friends. Your Stylist will curate looks for you based on your lifestyle, help ensure you get just the right fit, and show you what works and doesn’t work for your body shape. The result? A fun, stress-free shopping experience surrounded by friends, with a trusted Stylist guiding your choices.
So, what’s a girl to do when she needs a new blazer for work? Find a cabi stylist near you, and get your office attire on point.
How It Works
At a cabi Fashion Experience, a Stylist presents the seasonal cabi collection (usually 80-100 pieces in a varied size range), sharing educational fashion and styling tips all along the way. After the presentation, you can try on the clothes, while the Stylist works with you on fit and helps put together looks based on your needs—this part of the experience is personal to you! And of course, no shopping experience is complete without the trusted fashion advice of your girlfriends—as you all try on your favorite pieces, you’re able to share thoughts on each other’s selections and to encourage each other to step out of your comfort zones.
Becoming a Stylist
Becoming a cabi Stylist yourself might be something to consider, too! Maybe you’re looking to work remotely or pick up a side hustle for some extra cash, or maybe you’ve recently suffered a job loss, want to get involved in fashion, or need a little bit of a creative outlet. Whatever your situation—cabi offers a simple business model that balances the realities of a busy woman’s life, while having very real earning potential, building relationships, and serving other women through her business working as a fashion Stylist.
Cabi has created thousands of opportunities for women to have a relevant, liberating and profitable career. You can find out more information on how to become a cabi Stylist yourself here.
Tips from cabi Design Team
How to dress for your shape: A huge part of nailing down the best work wardrobe for you is to dress for your body type. Determine if your shape is triangle, rectangle, diamond, hourglass, pear, etc. You can find a full breakdown on dressing for your shape here.
The perfect fall color palette: According to the styling experts at Cabi, there are three colors that should be on your radar this fall: red, gold, and currant. The shades are all perfect for the changing season and are complementary to one another.
Day-to-Night looks: Find some multi-functional pieces that can be worn from from day to night. A lot of us working women have a busy schedule outside of the office too, and that involves a lot of after-work plans. Rather than stressing over an outfit change, find pieces that can work for plenty of different occasions. The perfect example would be a jacket that works well with a dress but also just as well with a pair of jeans.
Rather than experiencing another shopping nightmare, shop the cabi way!
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